Addicted to Food
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this voyeuristic rehab series features adult food addicts in emotional struggles to recover from eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. Subjects like homosexuality, sexual intimacy, suicide, and drug use are discussed within this therapeutic context. These conversations are too mature for younger viewers, but it might be helpful to watch with older teens and discuss some of these issues. Some occasional arguing and language (“pissed,” “hell”; stronger words bleeped) pops up.
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What's the Story?
ADDICTED TO FOOD features people with eating disorders undergoing treatment at the Shades of Hope treatment facility in Buffalo Gap, Texas. The program, which was founded by therapist and recovering addict Tennie McCarty, is designed to help people with all variations of food addictions ranging from anorexia to compulsive overeating. With the help of her daughters Kim and Karen, who are also recovering addicts, and daughter-in-law Camela Balcomb, McCarty works with people to help them address the core problems in their lives that are fueling their addictions, and to find new ways of looking at food.
Is It Any Good?
The series highlights some of the issues surrounding eating disorders of all kinds, including using food as a remedy for coping with life issues. It also offers explanations for the various therapeutic techniques that the program uses to help its clients.
Like most rehab-oriented reality shows, Addicted to Food is pretty voyeuristic. It's full of scenes where cast members share uncomfortably personal moments or argue with counselors and with each other. But it also offers some limited information about health, nutrition, and food consumption habits that some viewers may find helpful.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about food addictions. What do you know about eating disorders? What are the connections between a person’s body image and his/her relationship with food? How can the media contribute to someone’s food addiction?
Why do people agree to be on TV shows like this? Are they getting something out of it? Do you think being on TV can hurt or help someone's recovery process?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 5, 2011
- Cast: Karen McCarty, Kim McCarty, Tennie McCarty
- Network: OWN
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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